Arbroath 2-3 Brechin: Report

31 March 2012 06:31

Arbroath's promotion hopes were dealt a blow as they fell to a surprise 3-2 defeat at home to Brechin on the same day Second Division leaders Cowdenbeath also dropped points.

The visitors were ahead after only five minutes as Rory McKenzie fired in from long range.

And their lead was quickly doubled nine minutes later when Paul McManus slotted home from six yards.

Steven Doris scored from the penalty spot after Scott Buist felled Colin Samuel to give second-placed Arbroath a lifeline, and he again converted from 12 yards out early in the second half after Buist, at fault for the second time, had handled in the area.

But Brechin retook the lead when McManus powered home his second from inside the area, with the home side's hopes put to bed five minutes from time as Keith Gibson was dismissed for a foul on Craig Molloy.